Saipa and Zob Ahan learn fates at ACL qualifying play-offs

Tehran Times – KUALA LUMPUR, Iranian football clubs Saipa and Zob Ahan have learned their fates at the 2019 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs.

Saipa will face Indian Minerva Punjab on Feb. 12 in Tehran.

Zob Ahan will also meet the winners of Al-Wehdat of Jordan and Kuwait’s Al-Kuwait on Feb. 12 in Isfahan.

Persepolis as Iran Professional League champions and Esteghlal, champions of Iran’s Hazfi Cup, will represent the country in ACL group stage.

In the qualifying play-offs, each tie is played as a single match. Extra time and penalty shoot-out are used to decide the winners if necessary (Regulations Article 9.2). The eight winners of the play-off round advance to the group stage to join the 24 direct entrants. All losers in each round from associations with only play-off slots enter the AFC Cup group stage.